When Wi Hajoon first appeared on our screens in 2021 as the stealthy, determined detective Hwang Jun-ho, nobody really knew if he’d make it. He was the ultimate outsider. While 456 players were busy killing each other over marbles and glass bridges, Jun-ho was playing a much more dangerous game of hide-and-seek with a bunch of pink-suited guards and a masked frontman who turned out to be his own flesh and blood.
Then came the cliff. The shot. The fall.
Social media went into a total meltdown. Was he dead? Was he coming back? For three long years, fans obsessed over every frame of that scene, looking for a splash or a body that never appeared. Now that we've seen his journey continue, it’s clear that Wi Hajoon’s role in Squid Game isn't just about a side-plot—it’s the moral compass of the entire series.
How Wi Hajoon Survived the Cliff in Squid Game
Let’s be real: in the world of K-dramas, if you don't see a body and a funeral, the character is basically just taking a nap. But the way Wi Hajoon returned wasn't some magical resurrection. It was actually pretty grounded.
In Season 2, we finally got the answer. A fisherman named Captain Park, played by the veteran Oh Dal-su, found Jun-ho floating on a buoy. He pulled him out of the water, nursed him back to health, and essentially became his only ally in a world that refused to believe the games even existed.
It’s kind of tragic, honestly.
Jun-ho spends years living in the shadows. He demotes himself from a high-flying detective to a traffic officer. Why? Because the politics of the police force are garbage, and nobody wanted to touch his "crazy" story about a secret island of death. He’s isolated. He’s obsessed. He’s basically a ghost in a uniform.
The Mystery of the Shoulder Shot
There’s a massive theory that the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, never actually intended to kill his brother. Think about it. In-ho is an expert marksman. If he wanted Jun-ho dead, he would have put a bullet between his eyes. Instead, he hit the shoulder.
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This specific detail has fueled years of debate.
- Was it a warning? Maybe In-ho wanted him to stay away.
- Was it a mercy? A non-fatal wound that allowed him to fall into the water and "disappear" from the VIPs' radar.
- Is In-ho still "human" inside? This is the big question for the upcoming Season 3.
Why Fans Felt "Let Down" by Season 2
Kinda awkward, but a lot of people were actually frustrated with Jun-ho’s arc in the second season. After all that hype about his survival, he spent a huge chunk of time just... island hopping. He and Captain Park kept hitting dead ends. Every time the show cut back to them, it felt like a misdirection.
But there’s a massive twist you might have missed.
The Season 2 finale dropped a bombshell: Captain Park was actually sabotaging Jun-ho the whole time. The one person Jun-ho trusted was likely on the Front Man's payroll. It explains why they could never find the island. Every "lead" was a lie.
Wi Hajoon actually addressed this frustration in a recent interview with Radio Times. He basically said he gets why the audience was disappointed, but he views it as part of a "longer and bigger story." He’s playing the long game.
Wi Hajoon: From "The Cop" to Global Superstar
It’s wild to think that before Squid Game, Wi Hajoon was mostly known for second-lead roles in romances like Romance Is a Bonus Book or playing a creepy serial killer in the movie Midnight.
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Now? He’s a global ambassador for TAG Heuer and Louis Vuitton.
He’s admitted to feeling a ton of pressure because of how fast his fame exploded. In an interview with Marie Claire, he mentioned that he’s the type to "scold himself" rather than celebrate. He was worried about becoming complacent. That intensity shows in his performance; he brings a specific kind of "justice-driven" energy to Jun-ho that feels incredibly authentic.
What’s Next for Jun-ho in Season 3?
Everything is setting up for a massive collision. We’ve got Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) back in the game, fueled by pure rage. We’ve got the Front Man dealing with the guilt of his past. And we have Jun-ho, the man who now knows his "savior" was a traitor.
Wi Hajoon teased that Season 3 will deal with "different aspects" of his personality. Could he break bad? If he realizes the system—the police, his friends, his brother—has completely failed him, he might stop playing by the rules.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos of the Squid Game universe and Wi Hajoon’s growing career, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch "The Worst of Evil": If you want to see Wi Hajoon’s range, watch this Disney+ series. He plays a mob boss, and it’s arguably his best performance to date. It shows the "dark side" he might bring to Jun-ho later.
- Analyze the "Captain Park" Scenes: Go back and re-watch the scenes with the fisherman in Season 2. Now that you know he's a saboteur, his dialogue takes on a completely different, much more sinister meaning.
- Track the Kidney Subplot: Remember that In-ho gave a kidney to Jun-ho years ago. This is a massive emotional tether. In the final season, expect this to be the reason one of them can't pull the trigger on the other.
- Stay Updated on Season 3 Production: Since Season 3 is the confirmed finale, pay attention to casting calls. If we see more "police" characters added, it means Jun-ho is finally bringing the fight back to the mainland.
The mystery of Hwang Jun-ho isn't over. While he might have spent Season 2 in the background, he’s the only character who truly knows both sides of the mask. When the final games begin, he won't be watching from the sidelines anymore.